Vaccination Specialist

Kenilworth Primary Care

Bhavani Jeereddy, MD

Vaccinations are an essential part of both personal and public health. If you or a loved one are not up-to-date on your vaccinations, Bhavani Jeereddy, MD, of Kenilworth Primary Care in Kenilworth, New Jersey, can help. Call the office to schedule a review of your immunization record, or use the simple online booking tool to set up a visit from home any time of day or night.

Vaccination Q & A

What are vaccinations?

Vaccinations act as a trial run to prepare your immune system to fight off dangerous infections. They are also among the most impactful advancements in personal and public health to occur in the history of medicine.

Your immune system is an astounding resource that is very effective at preventing disease. However, that system requires time to work. When your body detects dangerous bacteria or viruses (antigens), it responds by creating antibodies that can fight off infection.

This system is truly incredible. Still, a problem arises when an antigen is so strong that an infection would threaten your health before your immune system could launch an effective counterattack. That’s where vaccines come in to save the day.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines are developed to trigger your immune system without creating a full-blown infection. Vaccines are made from a weakened or dead strain of bacteria or virus. When injected into your body, a vaccine is strong enough to trigger a reaction, but not strong enough to make you sick.

Your body responds by creating the antibodies needed to fight off that particular virus or bacteria. Those antibodies remain in your system for the rest of your life, ready to spring into action if you ever encounter the full version of those antigens.

Some of the vaccines available at Kenilworth Primary Care include:

Pneumonia

Flu

Shingles

Hepatitis A and B

Tetanus

These are just some of the common vaccines Dr. Jeereddy can provide. Upon review of your immunization record, she can also determine if you need vaccinations normally received during childhood.

A tuberculosis skin test, or PPD skin test, is also available. This diagnostic tool determines if you’ve been exposed to the specific bacterium that leads to tuberculosis.

Are vaccines safe?

A great deal of misinformation has been spread regarding the safety of vaccinations. The medical community, both in America and around the world, is in consensus on not only the safety of vaccinations but the imperative nature of a strong vaccination policy.

Vaccinations are why Americans no longer fear deadly outbreaks of communicable diseases. Because such a large percentage of the population is immunized, these bacteria and viruses cannot take hold, an effect known as herd immunity.

If a significant portion of the population chooses to forego vaccination, however, that herd protection will be threatened. Dr. Jeereddy is passionate about the role that vaccination plays in personal and public health. She is more than willing to sit down with you and address any concerns you have over the safety of various vaccines.

Schedule a visit today using the easy online booking tool or over the phone to learn more.